Pamie Reese started out as a Pollocksville Panther. This fall she begins another year as principal of Jones Senior High School, a road home that ran through West Carteret High School, NC State University, and years of work as a special education teacher, special populations coordinator, assistant principal, and principal at every grade level. She calls the return a calling.
A year of harvesting
After two years of sowing into Trojan Pride and creating the conditions for success, the staff theme at Jones Senior this year is harvesting excellence. Pamie tells host Mary Ann LeRay why she borrowed that language from the fields her neighbors work, what full staffing with certified teachers means for a rural school, and how the Parent, Student, Teacher Organization she launched with parent leader Megan Bender is opening its doors to grandparents, retirees, and anyone who wants to see Jones County students win.
Every next step counts
With about 475 students in grades 7 through 12 and roughly 45 teachers, Jones Senior offers a full time Next Step Advisor affiliated with UNCW, a Lenoir Community College advisor on campus, and a Career and Technical Education program where students earn industry certifications before they graduate. Whether a graduate is enrolling, enlisting, or heading straight to work, Decision Day celebrates the choice.
Listen to the full conversation to hear Pamie's message for the first day of school, and why she believes this is the year of greatness for Jones County.